New South Wales - more skilled jobs, but economy still slow: ABS (Media Release)

MEDIA RELEASE

May 17, 2007

Embargoed: 11.30 am (AEST)

49/2007

New South Wales - more skilled jobs, but economy still slow: ABS

More than a quarter of a million new jobs have been created in NSW, mostly in higher skilled occupations, but the state economy has been lagging behind the rest of Australia over last five years, according to a detailed study released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Labour Force - Between May 2000 and May 2006, 264,000 extra jobs have been created, with 92% (242,000) requiring a skill level of bachelor degree, advanced diploma or equivalent experience. In contrast, trades (or equivalent) grew by 8,000 and lower skilled employment grew by 13,000 people.

Economy - Economic growth in NSW was the slowest of all states and territories, at 1.4% in 2005-06. NSW has been growing more slowly than the Australian economy for the last five years (by 0.7% and 2.6% points behind the Australian economy).

Environment - NSW greenhouse gas emissions remained steady between 1990 and 2004, thanks mostly to changes in land use and forestry. Energy consumption, however, increased 8.2% between 1999-2000 and 2004-05. NSW household water consumption (84 kilolitres per person in 2004-05) is also below the Australian average (103 kilolitres per person).

Crime - Household crimes (which include break and enter and car theft) have dropped since 2000, with 6.8% of households affected in 2006, lower than the 9.4% recorded in 2000.

Roads - Road fatalities were down in 2005 (508 fatalities), compared to 603 in 2000. Alcohol related accidents have dropped from 7.1% in 1990 to 4.0% in 2005, while speed related accidents increased from 13.4% to 17.3% over the same period. Sydney recorded the lowest fatality rate in NSW (4.7 per 100,000 people).

Education -Since 2000, education outcomes have improved, with those aged 25-64 years with a bachelor degree or above rising from 19.8% to 25.0%.

Health - The health of the NSW population, as measured by life expectancy and death rates, continues to improve. Life expectancy of males has increased by 2.1 years since 2000, and death rates for all persons have declined from 6.9 per 100,000 people to 5.9.

More details are available in New South Wales In Focus, May 2007(cat. no. 1338.1).